Cristiano Ronaldo is set to return to Al Nassr following his participation in the 2026 World Cup, where he aims to help the club defend its Saudi Pro League title after a successful 2025-26 season. In a move to strengthen their midfield, Al Nassr has reportedly secured the transfer of Portugal teammate Samu Costa from RCD Mallorca.

Transfer Confirmation

According to the Saudi news outlet Arriyadiyah, RCD Mallorca has confirmed that the deal for Costa's transfer to Al Nassr has been finalized. While the exact transfer fee has not been disclosed, it is noted that Al Nassr's offer surpassed those from RB Leipzig and other European clubs. Mallorca media officer Hector Martin stated, “The deal between Mallorca and Al Nassr has been finalized, and a definitive agreement has been reached regarding Samu Costa’s transfer.”

Player Background

Samu Costa, a product of the SC Braga academy, previously played for UD Almeria before establishing himself at Mallorca. Despite the club's relegation at the end of the 2025-26 season, Costa stood out by participating in 36 matches and contributing seven goals and two assists. His impressive performance earned him a spot in Roberto Martinez’s Portugal squad for the World Cup, where he made a brief appearance in a group-stage match against Colombia.

As he joins Ronaldo in Riyadh for the 2026-27 season, Costa is expected to bring his box-to-box playing style to Al Nassr, further enhancing the team's midfield options.